The defensive tackle from North Carolina has been a monster out here in Senior Bowl practice this week and could be a nice consolation prize for the Miami Dolphins in the middle rounds as they seek a long-term solution at nose tackle.

Can Thomas play the nose in the NFL?

"Yeah, straight nose," Thomas told me this week. "Let's go, baby."

What would he bring in that role?

"Power," he said. "A guy that can anchor. That's what they want. That's what the nose is, an anchor guy, and that's what I would bring."

Thomas officially measured at 6-3 and 331 pounds.

"That's what they had me at," he said. "But I think I'm 6-4."

His hands are "10 [inches] and some change," he says, and he plays the game with an obvious enthusiasm. Even in blocking drills, Thomas will emit a primal scream as he blows by interior linemen.